Matsue Castle

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Matsue Castle, located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of only 12 castles in Japan with surviving castle towers.

Completed in 1613, Matsue Castle Tower is designated as a national treasure, along with Hikone Castle and Himeji Castle, as a tower that represents the heyday of early modern castles.

Matsue Castle is the second widest and third tallest of the 12 towers.

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Highlights

①Stairs
Stairs from the 1st to 4th floors
Board thickness is about The 10cm staircase is 1.6m wide

Paulownia wood is used for fire and rot prevention

The staircase opening is designed so that when the horizontal sliding door is pulled out, it closes the opening

It is thought to have been used for locking doors and sieges

Staircase from the 4th to 5th floors

Chrysanthemum wood is used extensively

②Through pillars
One of the defining features of Matsue Castle as a national treasure is its unique structure

At the time of construction, there was a wood shortage, so it is thought that wood for making large pillars like the central pillar of Himeji Castle was not available

The central pillar is used The structure supports the castle tower with two short through pillars that do not extend beyond the wall.
96 of the 308 pillars in the castle tower are through pillars.

③ Tengu Room
The top floor of the castle tower offers a 360-degree view of the town of Matsue.

④ National Treasure Designation Certificate
A copy of the designation certificate, which is proof of the national treasure designation, is on display on the fifth floor of the castle tower.

⑤ Ishiuchidana
Located above the entrance to the attached tower and on the south side of the basement.
A pedestal-shaped platform on top of the stone wall to stabilize the footing when aiming at an invading enemy with a gun or other weapon.

⑥ Taiko Tower
Second A tower where a drum that tells the time was placed in the castle at the northeast corner of Nomaru

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Access

📍Parking
Matsue Castle Otemae Parking Lot, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture <8:00-19:00>
Regular cars (up to 800 yen for use of designated tourist facilities)

The parking lot at the prefectural office is open for free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
For details, please check the website

📍About 2.2km from JR Matsue Station, about 15 minutes by bus

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